Corkscrew.



E. EARLB.

GORKSOREW.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 27, 1912.

Patented Aug. 27, 1912.

INVENTOR I ZZl/ZS' 177/715 i/ITMESSES ATTORNEYS ELIAS EARLE, 0F TOWNVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA.

CORKSCREW.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2'7, 1912.

Application filed February 27, 1912. Serial No. 680,277.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIAs EARLE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Townville, county of Anderson, and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corkscrews, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in corkscrews, and has for its object the provision of a simple, inexpensive, easily operated device of the character specified, especially designed to prevent the screw from slipping or pulling out of the cork, or the pulling off of the top of the cork, leaving the inner end of the cork in the bottle.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front view of the improvement, with the parts in one position; Fig. 2 is a similar view, with the parts in another position; and, Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the cork-screw consists of two similar sections pivoted together intermediate their ends and provided with a spring between the sections, for a purpose to be described. Each of the sections consists of a handle portion 1 and an integral screw portion 2, and each of the handle portions is plane on its inner face, and is rounded on its outer face, in such manner, that when the handle portions of the two sections have their plane surfaces in contact, the handle is approximately circular in cross section.

The handle as a whole, that is the two portions 1, tapers toward each end, to afford a convenient grip, and at the junction of the handle and screw portion, each section has a pair of inwardly extending laterally spaced lugs 3. The lugs of one section are somewhat nearer together than the lugs of the other section, so the said first named lugs will fit between the second named lugs, and the lugs have registering perforations for receiving a pivot pin 4, which is headed at each end, as shown at 5, to prevent re moval of the pin. The screw portions 2 of the sections are so arranged that when the said portions are in the position of Fig. 1,

a complete screw is formed. The screw portion of each section has a plane inner face, so that the said faces fit smoothly together, and when so arranged, the vane or blade 5. of the screw is continuous, and extends to the lower end of the tool. One or both of the sections has the handle portion arranged at a slight angle to the screw portion, so that when the screw portions are together, as shown in Fig. 1, the handle portions are separated, at the end remote from the pivot pin 4, and when the handle portions are together, the screw portions incline away from each other toward their free ends. The latter position is shown in Fig. 2, and the former, which is the normal position, is shown in Fig. 1. The sections are held in the position of Fig. 1 normally, by means of a spring. from a wire or rod of resilient material, of suitable cross section, doubled upon itself, and then bent to form a coil 7, intermediate the ends of the doubled wire, for encircling the pin 4, and two arms 8, for engaging the handle portion 1. Each arm 8 extends longitudinally of the inner plane face of a handle portion, and the said face is preferably recessed to receive the arm, so that the arm is flush with the said surface, to permit the portions to fit smoothly together.

As is known when the usual form of cork screw is turned into a cork, and traction is made on the handle, the screw frequently pulls out of the cork and leaves it in such shape, that the screw cannot again secure a grip. Again the outer end of the cork may be broken away from the inner end. The improved screw is introduced in the usual manner, and the mere act of gripping the handle to secure a good grip for exerting traction, presses the handle portions together, and spreads the screw portions, so that the screw as a whole is approximately cone shaped, with the small end upward, and cannot by any possible chance pull out of the cork. When so spread or extended the screw cannot slip, and the cork must come out when sufficient traction is exerted on the handle. The handle portions in the position of Fig. 1, offer a good grip for turning the same, while in the position of Fig. 2, they offer a good grip for traction. The device is in fact a cork screw of ordinary form split longitudinally into two similar sections, pivoted together at the junction of handle and screw, and bent as described.

I claim:

1. A cork screw, comprising two similar sections, each consisting of a handle portion and a screw portion, the meeting faces of the said portions of the sections being plane and fitting smoothly together, to form a rounded The sald spring is formed handle at one end of the sections anda continuous screw at the other, the handle portion of each section being bent outward at a slight angle to the screw portion, a pivotal; between the sections at the junction of thehandle and: screw portions, and;

' handle portions of the I p "'intotwo similar sections, each sectlon comconnection a spring between the sections.

2. A cork screw divided longitudinally-- into two similar sections, each section comprisin a handle portionand a screw portion, the handle port-ion of each section being inclined outwardly toward the end remote from the screw "portions, a pivot-alconnection between the sections at the junction of the handle and screw portions, and a spring between the handle" portions of the sections pressing said sections away from each other.

3; A cork screw divided longitudinally intotwo similar sections, each section comprisinga handle portionand a screw portion, the handle portion mote from of each section being inclined-outwardly toward the end rethe screw portion, a pivotal coninection between the sections, and a spring vpressing the screw portions of the sections together.

4. A cork screw divided longitudinally ;prising a handle portion and a screw porition, the handle "portion of each section be- {ing inclined outwardly toward the end re- 1 mote from the screw portion,

connection between the sections.

5; A cork screw into t'wo simi'lar sec ons, each section comprising a handle portion and: a screwv portion, and a pivotal connection betweenthe sections;

' ELIAS EARLE.

Witnesses: V

PLEAS MAnArrEr, W. EuGrmrs';w

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Washington, I). C. V 1

and a pivotal divided longitudinally 

